Is there any better things to do than ding dong over a 'Wall'

The wall must fall, 'business groups' back Dr M

PETALING JAYA - Two industrial interest groups have raised concerns that a controversial wall built by a Chinese company in an industrial zone in Pahang could be allowed to remain, following a deputy minister’s defence of the barrier despite opposition from none other than Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) said foreign companies operating in Malaysia should take into account the sensitivities of locals when setting up their businesses.

“If not, it could create a lot of suspicion and ill feeling within the local community,” MEF executive director Shamsuddin Bardan told FMT.

Yesterday, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Ong Kian Ming defended Alliance Steel, the company whose compound in the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) is surrounded by a 3m concrete wall.

The wall, seen as a symbol of Chinese companies being allowed a free rein under the Najib Razak administration, was criticised by Pakatan Harapan before the coalition came to power last May.

Last month, Mahathir, fresh from his visit to China, said the wall was a violation of Malaysian laws.

He said the industrial park was not in a foreign country and urged the wall to be torn down.

“Nobody has ever done that. Build a wall around an industrial park and you don’t even allow Malaysians to go in. That is not the practice. We have hundreds of industrial parks and they are under Malaysian law,” he told Malaysiakini in an interview.

Mahathir had further said that if a crime is committed in the cordoned area, it should be Putrajaya’s responsibility, not the responsibility of the people who own the park.

Shamsuddin said land issues were under local authorities.

“Pahang has to do the right thing so as not to create any security concerns,” he added.

The Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM) said the wall raised valid concerns over security issues and there should be more discussions on the matter.

“Why does it need to be hidden and what needs to be hidden?” asked its CEO Ahmad Yazid Othman.

“There should also be discussions regarding the rules in the country so that it is fair to all.”

Meanwhile, PAS also sided with Mahathir in urging for the wall’s demolition, saying the Chinese firm’s offer to merely lower the height of the wall should be rejected.
PAS’ Takiyuddin Hassan says the Chinese firm’s offer to merely lower the height of the wall should be rejected.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan also questioned Ong for going against the prime minister.

“It is not right to do that. That area should be transparent and accessible to the public,” he added.

He said allowing the wall to remain could encourage other companies to do the same without the police knowing of incidents within the compound.

“PAS supports anything good for the country. The prime minister is right in his decision.”

PPBM Supreme Council member Tariq Ismail said while Chinese foreign direct investments (FDI) were welcome, it should not undermine Malaysia’s sovereignty.

“Furthermore, FDI should prioritise employing and training locals.

“I hope Alliance Steel has been liaising with the government pertaining to these issues.”

• Steel plant: Perimeter wall within MCKIP needed to protect 'modern and sophisticated' facility  
• Deputy minister breaks away from Dr M’s view over Kuantan’s ‘China wall’ 
• Mahathir wants to see Kuantan's 'Great Wall of China' come down